Lipscomb University Director of Athletics Philip Hutcheson announced Tuesday that women’s soccer head coach Jon Ireland will not return for the 2012 season.

“We appreciate Jon’s leadership of our program during his time here, and we are grateful for the effort he gave in working with the young women who competed for Lipscomb,” said Hutcheson. “He is a good man who loves the game and we wish Jon the best as he moves on to future endeavors.”

Ireland had served as the Lipscomb women's soccer head coach for the past five seasons. Before moving to Lipscomb, he worked as the head coach at Faulkner University and as an assistant at Harding University.

A national search to find a new women’s head coach will begin immediately.